A Festive Day at The Farm

When we set about creating a classic Christmas card inspired scene complete with vintage red truck, handsome hound, poinsettias, evergreens, and brightly wrapped gifts, we thought The Farm at Oatland would make the perfect setting. And once we had the stage set, it was an ideal opportunity to show off seasonal styles for the family from our local advertisers. The Cason, Maichle and Hopkins families were gracious enough to model winter clothes on a warm day. As for holiday magic, we found it when we visited Santa in his workshop a couple years ago, but this time when we brought Christmas to The Farm, the “reindeer” found us!

The Radio Flyer wagon was a hit with the Hopkins family and is a Christmas gift that never goes out of style. Ernie the Elf could learn some skills and style from Chase, our island dentist, who wears a buffalo plaid flannel shirt and wool zip vest with corduroy accents from Bullington. Anna puts the cool in Christmas with this leather jacket and pants from Renaur and red silk high-neck ruffled blouse by Jade from The Yellow Canary. (The red sweater by Kerisma and Renaur black leather pants she wears above in the group photo are also from The Yellow Canary.) Nancy is cuter than any of the team pulling Santa’s sleigh in her Bailey Boys Reindeer reversible jumper with red top. Charlie is dapper as can be in his J. Bailey Roscoe button down in holly plaid, clover green Champ pants, and red Mills fleece vest.

Naughty? Never! Just look at this precious face! This look alone might be enough to convince Santa that Nancy should be on the “Nice List” this year.

Sara Cason shows that a new mom can still be chic for the holidays by pairing leggings with this cozy ivory Kerisma sweater and pearl earrings from The Yellow Canary. Her adorable daughter Ava Grace is the sweetest sugar plum in a Holly Plaid float dress from Bailey Boys.

The Maichle family look just like they just stepped out of a Christmas card! Kris wears a light grey pullover by Johnnie O over a plaid shirt by Southern Tide, both available at Gentlemen’s and Lady Outfitters. From UGA games to Christmas casual parties, Nikki is perfectly attired in a black turtleneck by Michael Stars with this festive red topper and black Cambio jeans, accessorized with a Gracewear necklace and gold earrings, all from Tamary’s (along with the plaid reversible wrap she wears on page 53). Jacob and Kate shine brighter than the Griswolds’ holiday display in matching Christmas Lights Pants Set and Knit Dress from Bailey Boys.

Move over horses, Jacob prefers a piggyback ride with Dad! Here, Kris wears a charcoal grey zip vest by Johnnie O over a Southern Tide plaid cotton button-down from Gentlemen’s and Lady Outfitters.

Thank you!

Big thanks to Kenny Rogers, owner of what amounts to the sparkling star atop our creative Christmas tree, the 1948 Dodge 5-window Pilothouse truck! Also to Kenny’s son Lewis who drove her out to us. She’s a beaut!

Extra head pats and belly rubs  for the bestest boy and possibly most behaved cover model ever, Snuffy, with our gratitude to his “handler” for the afternoon, Linda Bautista, and his owner Brad Randall for sharing this sweet boy with us.

We appreciate ACE Garden Center and A Courtyard Florist for helping us set the Christmas tone with their little trees and colorful poinsettias, respectively. And thank you to Jeff Burton for his drop-off and delivery service, with a smile. We were extremely grateful to have the  helping hands of Sean Valentine for prop placement, heavy lifting, and even some on-site babysitting.

Theresa Brookman of The Darkroom Photography was a champ for working through the gnats, on-the-fly set changes, and everything else a shoot that involves both kids and animals involved. Based on these great shots, we think W.C Fields was definitely wrong. 

Last but not least, thank you to Diana Scarborough and the volunteers at (and residents of) The Farm at Oatland North for letting us invade for the afternoon. Finn (seen in the cover shot) was a great sport and getting to spend time with and pet the animals was a perk of the shoot.

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Mr. Wonkey Donkey

Mr. Wonkey Donkey

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Ready for that Close-up!

Ready for that Close-up!

The unexpected appearance of visiting deer was a special treat—and so fitting with our Christmas theme!

We encourage anyone who hasn’t been out to The Farm (70 Cannon’s Point Road, SSI) to visit one Sunday afternoon. They host open houses from 2-4:00 p.m. most weeks and admission is free, though donations are always greatly appreciated. You can also support the care of the animals by purchasing The Farm’s 2021 calendar.

Happy Holidays to all and, in the words of Tiny Tim, “God Bless Us—Every One!”